CVE-2004-0240 in X-Cart
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in X-Cart 3.4.3 allows remote attackers to view arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the shop_closed_file argument to auth.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0240 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within X-Cart version 3.4.3, a widely used e-commerce platform that was prevalent during the early 2000s. This security weakness specifically affects the authentication mechanism of the application, where the shop_closed_file parameter in the auth.php script fails to properly validate user input. The flaw enables malicious actors to manipulate file paths through the use of directory traversal sequences such as .. (dot dot), allowing unauthorized access to files outside the intended directory structure. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental failure in input validation and access control mechanisms within the application's security architecture.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious request to the auth.php endpoint with a shop_closed_file parameter containing directory traversal sequences. When the application processes this parameter without proper sanitization or validation, it interprets the .. sequences as legitimate path navigation commands, effectively allowing access to arbitrary files on the server filesystem. This flaw is particularly dangerous because it can potentially expose sensitive information including configuration files, database credentials, source code, and other confidential data that should remain restricted to authorized users only. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the attacker may gain access to system files that could provide insights into the server environment, potentially leading to further exploitation opportunities.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability are severe for any organization running affected X-Cart installations, as it creates an immediate and persistent security risk. Attackers can leverage this flaw to access not only application-specific files but potentially system-level files that contain sensitive information such as database connection strings, administrative credentials, and application logic. This vulnerability directly maps to several techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing) tactics, as it enables attackers to discover and access files that would normally be protected. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that X-Cart was a popular e-commerce solution, meaning that numerous organizations were potentially exposed to this vulnerability, creating widespread risk across multiple industries including retail, finance, and services.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and sanitization of all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file path operations. The recommended approach involves implementing proper path validation that rejects or removes directory traversal sequences from input parameters before they are processed by the application. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and ensuring that the application runs with minimal required privileges can significantly reduce the impact of such vulnerabilities. Security measures should include regular vulnerability assessments, code reviews focusing on input handling, and ensuring that all web applications are updated to patched versions. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in OWASP Top Ten and other industry standards, emphasizing that proper input validation and secure file handling should be integral components of all software development processes. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability pattern.